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Many brands of chemical fertilizers are now on the 
market, some are excellent and probably some are quite 
worthless, although they are presumed to be mixed in 
about the right proportion. We are using a consider¬ 
able quantity of a brand called “Gromore”. It comes 
in two grades: No. 1 and No. 2. Grade No. 2 is more 
bulky but the analysis shows more value for the money, 
and as there is not enough bulk to either of them to 
hurt anything, the No. 2 is the better one for the 
gladiolus grower. 
If the natural fertilizers are not easily available, 
then we must rely on the chemicals, for to get the most 
out of our gladioli they must have plenty of fertilizer. 
If we cannot find a brand on the market already mixed, 
which we are reasonably sure is good, then we must 
buy the chemicals and do the mixing. But this is an 
art in itself, and before attempting it the best books 
on the subject should be studied carefully. 
Some authorities claim that if properly balanced, 
that is, each element in exactly the right quantity, that 
it is impossible to overfertilize any plant. That is a 
strong statement and one which would be hard to prove. 
Also entering into the matter is the fact that each soil 
differs from any other in the amount and kind of plant 
food available and the soil would have to be analyzed. 
If the soil is what is known as an acid soil, and this 
may often be determined by noticing whether the sorrel 
plant grows readily on it or not (Sorrel indicates acid' 
ity), or by testing with bitumus paper, then an appli¬ 
cation of slacked lime in powdered form will be useful. 
However, this should not be put on at the same time 
as other fertilizers for it would cause too rapid release 
of ammonia. 
